There are nearly 80,000 miles of roads in Texas. The road trip possibilities are endless (and here are a few.)

There are nearly 80,000 miles of roads in Texas. The road trip... Photo-4033315.81159 - seattlepi.com

Image 17 of 36

And if you need some tunes for your road trip, there is no shortage of Texas-native rockers. Take your pick: ZZ Top, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Beyonce Knowles, Blue October, just to name a few.

And if you need some tunes for your road trip, there is no shortage of Texas-native rockers. Take your pick: ZZ Top, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Beyonce Knowles, Blue October, just to name a few.

Photo: Ross Halfin

And if you need some tunes for your road trip, there is no shortage... Photo-5584940.81159 - seattlepi.com

Image 18 of 36

But not all rockers have a place in our hearts. Here's another reason to love the Lone Star State: "Don't Mess with Texas" isn't just our anti-litter motto.

Ozzy Osbourne learned not to mess with Texas... for a decade, anyway. San Antonio banned the rocker from the city for 10 years in 1982 after he urinated on the Alamo Cenotaph, which is across the street from the Alamo.

Here he is with his wife and manager Sharon, leaving the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on Feb. 19, 1982, after his run-in with the law. less

But not all rockers have a place in our hearts. Here's another reason to love the Lone Star State: "Don't Mess with Texas" isn't just our anti-litter motto.

Though there's been some debate, we can all agree that -- for... Photo-5662688.81159 - seattlepi.com

Image 22 of 36

Texas is home to numerous medical breakthroughs, thanks in large part to the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Check out Rice bioengineer Antonios Mikos and his large-scale model of the honeycomb structure that's being used to regrow bone tissue. This is just one of many advancements coming out of the Bayou City. less

Texas is home to numerous medical breakthroughs, thanks in large part to the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Check out Rice bioengineer Antonios Mikos and his large-scale model of the honeycomb structure ... more

Photo: JOHNNY HANSON, CHRONICLE

Texas is home to numerous medical breakthroughs, thanks in large... Photo-1202288.81159 - seattlepi.com

Image 23 of 36

Texas is the second-largest state in America behind Alaska. Or, for the glass-half-full people out there: Texas is the largest state in the continental United States.

Texas is the second-largest state in America behind Alaska. Or, for the glass-half-full people out there: Texas is the largest state in the continental United States.

Something for the ladies: Miriam "Ma" Ferguson was elected the first female governor of Texas in November 1924. She is the second female governor in America, with Wyoming's Nellie Tayloe Ross being inaugurated just two weeks prior to Ferguson. It wouldn't be for another 30 plus years until another female governor would be elected in America. less

Something for the ladies: Miriam "Ma" Ferguson was elected the first female governor of Texas in November 1924. She is the second female governor in America, with Wyoming's Nellie Tayloe Ross being inaugurated ... more